Photos of an ultra-thin Apple keyboard have surfaced on the web, stirring considerable debate, as they appear match AppleInsider's earlier description of a next-generation iMac keyboard.

The photos first appeared on this flickr account and have since been widely syndicated across the web. One photo reveals that the new keyboard, which appears to be a pre-production unit, carries the codename "M89."

Historically, Apple has used an "M" prefix to reference peripherals that are under development and a "Q" prefix for computer systems. For example, the company's original Mighty Mouse design was frequently referred to as "M18" prior to its release.

Earlier this month, AppleInsider exclusively reported that Apple's upcoming makeover to the iMac line would include new super-slim external keyboards.

Sources familiar with the matter had said the new peripheral would sport an aesthetic and feel similar to the low-profile keyboards used in Apple's 13-inch MacBook notebooks.

Apple is widely expected to take the wraps off its next-generation iMacs in the coming weeks. For more on what to expect from the new systems, please see AppleInsider's previous coverage:

Is not that about the same as the Mabook keys? It could be the real thing. Well, we wait and see if Apple jumps on them. And in the meantime, someone please save those pictures for later reference.

Yeah, looking through the gallery, I'm almost positive that it's legitimate. It probably is, though, a prototype unit, given that the materials and designers are listed on the sticker and there's another that says 'Not cosmetic unit'.

I am thinking definitely legit! This thing has "Apple" written all over it both literally (see pictures of the back) but also in style and design. Apple's design always tries to combine esthetics with function - just look at the keyboard "stand" in the back that raises the keyboard to a level of comfort - it's not some piece of plastic like on the G3/G4/G5/Current iMac keyboards - the stand is the USB extension port (both sides, I am assuming).

Also, if you look really close at the close up shot of the keys themselves, it looks like there is a bit of depth to the lettering in the middle of the keys - which makes me think that these keys could, in fact, be backlit. The lettering looks as if light could shine throughlike the MBP, and not that they were just painted on like with the previous stand apple keyboard.

Lastly, I am less sure about this one, but I cannot tell if there if a band of light coming from the underside of the keyboard to illuminate the desktop a little or not. I can't tell from the pictures if it is glare, or focused light coming from the keyboard stand in the direction of the front of the keyboard on the underside.

Sorry, not seeing it. I zoomed way in and then compared it to my MacBook keyboard. Looks about the same. As much as I'd love backlit keys, I don't think they're in here.

You know, a backlit keyboard was for a long time a wet dream of many people here and elsewhere, but Apple seems to think otherwise. From the beginning Apple let people understand that even the 12" Powerbook (a Pro model) does not deserves it.

Here's hoping that the wireless version has a lithium-ion battery and is USB chargeable. If the PS3 controller can do that (with a huge battery life, no less) for a $60 cost then surely a keyboard can too.

You know, a backlit keyboard was for a long time a wet dream of many people here and elsewhere, but Apple seems to think otherwise. From the beginning Apple let people understand that even the 12" Powerbook (a Pro model) does not deserves it.

This keyboard looks absolutely amazing to me. The only thing that immediately puts me off is the fn-key. We're not laptop users so why force us to use a hotkey? Since I doubt most people use the f-keys as function keys anyway, my guess is they'll make it so that it controls volume etc by default and using the fn-key will mean activating e.g an f11 keypress.

But now Expose or Dashboard is on F3?? This will take some getting used to.

Also what is up with the two delete keys? One is backspace. Now people are going to think they do the same thing. The support lines will be 'but I am pressing the delete key', 'no, the other delete key'.

And moving the USB ports again. First they were on the side, then in the middle now on the side again. I actually got used to them being in the middle.

My biggest concern is weight really. I sit it on my lap so I like a feather-weight keyboard. The old Apple keyboard weighed a freakin' ton.

Also, this had better get onto the front page and in red letters. Not only is this confirmation of the existence of the device, there are pictures of it. You can't get better than that for a confirmed rumor and it also hints at us nearing iMac release because the keyboards go with the machine and they look ready to ship. The metallic look also increases the likelihood of metal iMacs.

Also, this had better get onto the front page and in red letters. Not only is this confirmation of the existence of the device, there are pictures of it. You can't get better than that for a confirmed rumor and it also hints at us nearing iMac release because the keyboards go with the machine and they look ready to ship. The metallic look also increases the likelihood of metal iMacs.

Although it is particularly convincing, it could be fake after all as the pictures are still up.

It looks pretty sweet, but in the edge-on photo you can already see one of the keys at a slightly different angle than the others. That doesn't make me feel warm and fuzzy about this keyboard's long-term durability.

It looks pretty sweet, but in the edge-on photo you can already see one of the keys at a slightly different angle than the others. That doesn't make me feel warm and fuzzy about this keyboard's long-term durability.

More to the point, I'm not so sure how much I like the location change of the esc/volume keys. I like them where they are now, plus it's just more function keys that can't be used (without remap anyways) for expose and dashboard.

The current one isn't perfect by any means but I don't like the laptop type keys at all. By its very nature the laptop keyboard is a compromise between compactness and ergonomics, why adopt that design for uses that don't demand such a compromise? I think I hear the siren call of cost savings behind this design choice.